Friday, February 27, 2015

Leonard Nimoy, "Mr. Spock" of Star Trek, Dead at 83

Image from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

No. No, no, no, no, no, no.

I know he was elderly. I know he was ill. I know that everyone has their time, and that eighty-three cannot be considered an untimely year to expire. But this was Leonard Nimoy. This is an icon. What's more, he was an icon who was as revered now as he ever was. Even with several announced retirements, he kept coming back to make his fans happy. He appeared in both of the rebooted Star Trek movies, even though every character from the original had been replaced by another actor! He appeared on Fringe, an over-looked but loved sci-fi show to the delight of that core group of fans. He was so wanted for that program, they animated him when he couldn't appear live!

Image from source, Huffington Post

Star Trek is of course what he'll be remembered for most, and it was at conventions (I've been to a few) where I was lucky enough to see him in person. But he was good in virtually everything, and had an amazing voice (perhaps only matched by James Earl Jones, or his former cast-mate George Takei) that added gravitas to anything. We've lost a few of the originals of Star Trek prior to this, including DeForest Kelly and James Doohan. But this one actually hurts. This one is Gilda Radner/Madeline Kahn/Robin Williams-level of sad for me, eighty-three or not.

People who know me, know that I'm a touch slow to compassion, sympathy and empathy at times. I'm awkward dealing with sadness, or really displaying signs of it myself. But dammit, this is a sad day. Dammit, Spock! And RIP, Leonard.

Image from source, Huffington Post

[Excerpt]

'Star Trek' Star Leonard Nimoy Dead At 83

Leonard Nimoy, who was best-known for his role as Mr. Spock in the "Star Trek" franchise, died at his home on Friday in Los Angeles, his wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, confirmed to the New York Times. He was 83.
According to his wife, Nimoy's death was due to end-stage chronic obtrusive pulmonary disease. The star had been open about his condition, and spoke publicly about it last year. "Just can't walk distances. Love my life, family, friends and followers," he wrote on Twitter a week after announcing his diagnosis.
. .